Monthly Archives: November 2011

Triptans for Migraine Relief

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If you have been to the doctor due to frequent migraines, then chances are you know a little bit about Triptans.  This is a class of medication that is used to help relieve swelling and also helps to constrict the blood vessels that are in the brain in order to help reduce the pain that comes along with migraine headaches.  This is the most commonly prescribed class of drugs when it comes to migraine treatment.  It is important to talk to your doctor about these medications if you suffer from migraines on a regular basis.

Triptans for Migraine Relief

How Triptans Work

Triptans have been studied in thousands of different migraine sufferers, and the surprising conclusion is that they are very effective for many people.  There are several different triptan medications on the market, and talking to your doctor is the best way to decide which one will be best for you.  They are available in tablet form, injection form, and nasal spray forms.  Sometimes, it is a matter of trial and error when it comes to finding the one that will work the best to alleviate your migraine symptoms.

It goes to the root of the migraine, and helps to get rid of the pain, light sensitivity, and even the nausea that comes along with a migraine.  If you are like most migraine sufferers, then you really don’t care too much about how it works, as long as it does actually do the trick!

When to Take Triptans

Studies have shown that the best relief comes when the medication is taken right when the headache starts, or even just before if you can feel it coming on.  If the headache is really severe, then you may need to take more than one dose.  It is really important for you to follow the instructions that are given by your doctor when taking these medications, because there are some potential side effects that you should be aware of.

Ladies, if you notice that your migraines happen around the time of your menstrual cycle, then you may be able to use triptans to help you prevent them.  Studies have shown that women that take it each day, starting two days before the expected period and continuing until their period is over, have had a lot of success in preventing the migraines altogether.

Be Aware of Possible Side Effects

As you take the medication, you will want to make sure that you let your doctor know if you experience any side effects.  A few of the most common include dizziness, weakness and fatigue.  These are not as serious as some of the others, which include allergic reaction or tightness of the chest.

Did Triptans Work for You?

Generally, if one particular triptan does not do the trick, you will need to give a different type a try.  Chances are, a different one may be more effective.  If you have had success with triptan drugs, then you will definitely want to share your experience with others that deal with migraine headaches.

Migraine Prevention: The Best Treatments for Migraine Headaches

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You feel it coming on.  It starts with a dull ache, and before you know it you have a full blown migraine headache.  If you are the type that is able to tell that they are about to get a migraine, then you may be in luck.  Some people have what is called an aura, which is basically just a visual warning sign that lets people know that a migraine is about to set in.  Here are a few of the common signs of an aura:

  • Blind spot in one eye
  • Blurry vision
  • Pain in the eye
  • Seeing stars

Some people experience these auras minutes before they start to feel the severe migraine pain.  When talking with migraine sufferers, over half of them did experience one or more of these signs beforehand.

Migraine Prevention

Can you relate to this?  If so, then you will probably want to learn more about getting rid of migraines once and for all.

Many Migraines are Preventable

The good news to most people that suffer from migraines is that most of them can be prevented.  If you have the warning signs that a migraine is on its way, then you want to go ahead and take some medication for it right away.  That’s right!  Take the medication before the headache even starts.  Many people found that this was the best way to prevent the migraine from ever happening.  While it may not work in everyone, studies show that it can be a great way to lessen the intensity of the headache if nothing else.

So, let’s focus on other ways to prevent the migraine from ever coming on.  After all, wouldn’t you rather prevent the issue rather than treat it?  If you have ever had a head splitting migraine, then chances are you will agree with everyone that prevention is the best method.

Learn Your Triggers

What triggers your migraine headaches?  Not everyone will have the same triggers, so you should always look out for what may be causing yours.  There is no one cause of migraine headaches.  If you pay close attention to what you were doing when the migraine started, you can try to avoid those triggers in the future.  However, some people have noted that their migraines are triggered by every day stressors or hormone changes, which is something you cannot really avoid.

The most common migraine triggers include:

  • Not getting enough sleep
  • Improper nutrition
  • Certain foods
  • Bright lights

Therefore, most people find that they are able to simply improve their sleep habits, get adequate nutrition, and avoid overexposure to bright lights and this helps them to have migraines much less frequently.

Try these methods of prevention, and then talk to your doctor about other ways that you can prevent your migraines.  Sometimes you may need to take medications, especially if your migraines are caused by emotional factors including stress, anxiety or depression, or if they are caused by hormonal changes.